Blog Post Archive

There are three kinds of Muslims, former Muslim Ayaan Hirsi Ali says, and moderates are not among them. The outspoken Islam critic calls for a reformation within Islam.
Also: Former members of a church in Palmerston, New Zealand, say...Show More Summary

Groups that have succeeded the Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult were still under the strong influence of Aum guru Shoko Asahara, who is now on death row, in 2014, a government report said Tuesday. The influence of Asahara, whose real name … [Read more...]
Full story: Govt: Aum guru’s influence still strong

Investigative report into Faith Christian Church, Tucson, Arizona.
Also, a look at Islam-inspired terrorism.
More news items and resources may be added during the course of the day.
Full story: Is Faith Christian Fellowship in Tucson, Arizona, a Cult of Christianity?

Why and how do young people get recruited by Muslim extremists?
Alex Gibney's Scientology documentary will debut on HBO at the end of March.
Also: Psychic Daniel Perez has been convicted in the drowning death of a woman at his commune,...Show More Summary

In this issue: cult leader Debra Burslem, of the Magnificat Meal Movement, has fled Australia for the island nation of Vanuata. An Australian current affairs program tracked her down and confronted the 'prophetess' with claims that she...Show More Summary

Religion news and data in bite-sized nuggets.
Today includes info about: megachurches, the Book of Mormon, Saddleback church, megachurch databases, the Taliban vs. a ski school, and more.
Also: Can Venture Capitalists predict the future? Can banking ever be ethical? And why does Playmobil love Martin Luther?
Full story: RNB’s Religion Roundup: News and Data for Busy People

'Sex rabbi' Eliezer Berland faces extradition from the Netherlands. A religious pirate radio broadcaster has been ordered off-the-air. Also: information about the International Cultic Studies Association's annual conference.
Plus: the Scientology cult is in full damage-control mode over Alex Gibney's documentary exposing it to daylight. Show More Summary

Observers believe the polygamous FLDS cult, whose 'prophet' is serving a life sentence, will soon move thousands of its followers to South Dakota.
Thought to house 300 people now, the compound is seeking to significantly expand its water usage permit.
Full story: Is the FLDS cult expanding its presence in South Dakota?

Travis and Wenona Rossiter have been sentenced to 10 years in prison in the faith healing death of Syble Rossiter, their 12-year-old daughter.
The couple belong to the Church of the First Born -- theologically a cult of Christianity based on its extreme, unbiblical beliefs regarding faith healing.
Full story: Couple sentenced to 10 years in daughter’s faith healing death

November 2014: 5,000 people murdered by Muslim extremists.
Also: IS barbarians stoop to a new low.
Plus: Promoting, in Burma, a bar with an image of the Buddha wearing headphones is asking for trouble. And here's the Internet Movie Database listing that scares the destructive Scientology cult.
Full story: Thursday’s Religion News Roundup

A former Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult member awaiting trial after 17 years on the run is still brainwashed.
Also: Destiny Church's controversial, self-appointed 'bishop' Brian Tamaki told his devoted followers that God wanted them to give high-denomination bills to his church.
Full story: Sunday’s Religion News Roundup

A woman and here family prayed for the resurrection of their dead husband and father for 6 months. Plus: how will religious fundamentalist react to robots?
Also: is the man who shot up downtown Austin buildings a member of a 'Christian Identity' hate group?
Full story: Robots Christian Identity Resurrection Fundamentalism

A court in Haarlem, Netherlands, has postponed its decision on the extradition of controversial rabbi Eliezer Berland, who is wanted in Israel on sexual abuse charges.
Full story: Decision on extradition of fugitive rabbi Eliezer Berland postponed

Prosecutors have dropped charges against Micah Moore, who falsely confessed to the murder of Bethany Deaton, the wife of his spiritual leader.
Deaton's death had been ruled a suicide before Moore's admission. Prosecutors now say they will keep the case as an open investigation.
Full story: Murder charge in the death of Bethany Deaton dismissed

Faith healers, who claim that God has anointed them to heal the sick and -- in some cases -- to raise the dead as well, have been notably absent lately. Are they scared of Ebola?
Also: China's anti-cult efforts predictably also target Christians worshiping in house churches.
Full story: Has Ebola scared away the faith healers?

Micah Moore's confession to the murder of Bethany Deaton -- the wife of his spiritual leader Tyler Deaton -- came after an 'International House of Prayer' group exorcism session, his attorneys claim.
In a motion to dismiss Moore's confession...Show More Summary

London's Metropolitan Police reports that cases of abuse where the child is accused of being a witch or possessed by an evil spirit are on the rise.
Parents, other guardians, and in several cases pastors and church members who believe...Show More Summary

The money-hungry Scientology cult has once again been caught behaving badly.
This time the unethical organization has usurped an acronym of special importance to the citizens of Australia and New Zealand.
Full story: Scientology cult misappropriates ANZAC legend

Ashes of nine victims of the 1978 Jonestown murder & suicide massacre have been found among unclaimed containers in a Delaware funeral home.
The forced sale of an Australian doomsday cult's compound fell through as the property did not...Show More Summary